From Businesswoman to Chef: Julija Found Her Calling in Norway

Julija's journey from a bustling business career in Lithuania to a fulfilling life in Norway is a testament to finding one's true calling. Initially drawn to Norway by a friend, she found not only a new home but also a husband and a new direction.

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I felt completely out of my element. That life was boring, uninteresting – not mine.

Leaving behind the retail world where she felt "completely out of her element" and "bored," Julija embraced the opportunity for a fresh start. Her early years in Norway involved language studies and adapting to a serene rural environment, a stark contrast to her life in Vilnius. "I was a complete city kid, and here I moved to a farm – no friends, no action," she recalled. The presence of her sister, who later moved nearby, significantly eased her social isolation.

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That's it, I'm coming. I'm quitting everything because I really can't take it anymore.

Professionally, Julija transitioned from teaching in a kindergarten to pursuing her long-held passion for cooking. The responsibility of teaching led her to seek a different path, one that aligned with her childhood love for experimenting in the kitchen. She gained experience in various culinary roles, including a seaside restaurant, a bakery, and a center for Ukrainian refugees.

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I was a complete city kid, and here I moved to a farm – no friends, no action. I was still quite young, so I really missed that. I used to tell my husband that I could sit here and howl like a wolf – no one would hear me here.

Her current role as a cook at a kindergarten, where she prepares meals for 80 children, brings her immense satisfaction. "Food has always been close to my heart," Julija shared, emphasizing her lifelong interest in trying new recipes and flavors. This new chapter allows her to combine her love for food with a nurturing environment, proving that it's never too late to discover and embrace one's true passion.

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Now she lives next to me and is my best friend. It helped a lot to survive that social detachment from Lithuania.